February 13, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Long Road Back
Following a tough showing in November’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), East Avenue finds himself on the road to redemption in Saturday’s $500,000 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.
A costly stumble out of the gate dashed any hopes the Brendan Walsh charge had of living up to his lofty ‘favorite status’ in the $2 million BC Juvenile.
The ninth-place finish (second-last) was an especially disappointing turn given the stellar form East Avenue exhibited in a 5 ¼-length gate-to-wire Breeders’ Futurity (G1) score the month prior.
Now, off three months rest, oddsmakers are bullish on a rebound effort from East Avenue, who enters as the 12-horse Risen Star as the 9-5 choice.
Everybody Knows Your Name
Coming off an unbeaten rookie campaign, Good Cheer looks to keep the good times flowing in this Saturday’s $300,000 Rachel Alexandra (G2) at Fair Grounds.
The dynamic 3-year-old filly capped off a brilliant maiden tour with a 2 ½-length triumph in November’s Golden Rod (G2) as the 3-5 favorite. Overall, Good Cheer went 4-for-4, claiming her quartet of victories by a combined 32 ¼-lengths.
She is set to square off against another undefeated youngster in Simply Joking (4-1), who immediately ascended to and dominated the stakes ranks (Letellier Memorial and Silverbulletday champion).
Good Cheer still holds the early advantage, however, opening as the clear 6-5 favorite.
Welcome Back
Last year’s Louisiana Derby (G2) champion Catching Freedom returns to Fair Grounds this Saturday for the $250,000 Mineshaft (G3) following an eight-month layoff.
The 4-year-colt will try to recreate the magic that saw him storm back from last place to stun the field of 11 by one length.
He will also try to avoid the subsequent three-race dry spell that spilled over into two of the three legs of the Triple Crown.
While his performance was by no means poor, Catching Freedom missed out on the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1), landing in fourth and third, respectively.
Fresh off a break, the Brad Cox charge appears well-positioned for a return to the winner’s circle, entering the Mineshaft as the very slight 3-1 choice.
Not Just Luck
A move from Ireland to the United States worked well for movie stars Colin Farrell, Liam Neeson, and Pierce Brosnan, and the same goes for 4-year-old filly Grand Job, who’s a perfect 2-for-2 since coming over in October.
After claiming her set of successes by a combined 14 1/4 lengths, the young speedster will contest her first graded tilt this Saturday in the $165,000 Royal Delta (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Grand Job will be met by the Saffie Joseph Jr. trained trio of Sugar Swirl (G3) runner-up Intrepid Daydream (15-1), Libban (10-1), and Dazzling Move (9-2).
However, all will be playing catch up to the Bill Mott charge, who enters as the 9-5 clubhouse leader.
Still Burning Bright
Merriam-Webster may soon be inclined to change the definition of consistency to “Big City Lights” in honour of the 6-year-old racehorse that’s never finished outside of the top three through 13 lifetime starts.
The money-making machine heads back to Santa Anita this Saturday to defend his $100,000 Palos Verdes (G3) crown.
Nearly one year to the day after the landmark triumph, Big City Lights finds himself pitted against five hopefuls vying for his seat on the Palos Verdes throne.
But the Richard Mandella trainee appears more than up to the task after a lights out tune-up effort in the California Cup Sprint on Jan. 18 (7 ¾-length victory).
Big City Lights’ prospects of a repeat look promising as the 2-5 favorite.
